Copy of GoFundMe Launches Government Shutdown Direct Relief Fund

Today we partnered with Deepak Chopra to launch a GoFundMe providing relief for government workers impacted by the shutdown.

Your donation will be distributed to several nonprofit organizations across the country offering direct assistance to government workers. These nonprofits are doing important work, providing hot meals, necessary counseling, and housing relief. I encourage everyone to support them.

Some of the first nonprofits to receive support include José Andrés and his team of #ChefsForFeds, who are serving thousands of meals in Washington D.C. The line is literally out the door. And in addition to food supplies, the National Diaper Bank Network is providing diapers to parents impacted by the shutdown. We will add more nonprofits as the GoFundMe continues.

Government workers, through no fault of their own, can’t afford to put diapers on their newborns. Employees of the most powerful nation in the world are being forced to work without pay and line up at diaper or food banks. It makes no sense.

I wish Little Miss Flint did not need to start a GoFundMe to buy clean water. I wish diabetics did not need to start GoFundMes for their insulin. And I wish we did not have to start a GoFundMe to help federal workers.

Unfortunately we do.

And because we live in an imperfect world, we have a simple choice: We can feel helpless while tragedy unfolds, or we can take action.

I hope the shutdown ends soon. In the meantime, please join me and help our fellow Americans by providing some short term relief. This is not about politics. This is lending a helping hand to someone in need.